NSW roads minister says he may have to look at "even harsher" measures to improve compliance.
The New South Wales Government has threatened to bring in harsher penalties for those caught breaching travel restrictions on overheight trucks.
A year since NSW increased fines to more than $2,000 and six demerit points for breaches, 41 truck drivers have still been caught breaking the law.
“One year ago this government introduced the toughest overheight truck penalties in Australia,” NSW roads minister Duncan Gay says.
“I am so serious about this issue though that if the current penalties aren’t enough to stop these people then I may have to look at even harsher ways to stop people putting other motorists at risk causing significant damage to our state’s infrastructure,” Gay says.
Gay says the number of incidents involving overheight offences has dropped from 71 to 48 since the new penalty regime was introduced.
“The fact that we are still seeing this idiotic behaviour by some beggars belief,” he adds.
Four overheight trucks, including a 4.7m high vehicle, were caught travelling in Sydney last month.
A 4.5m high truck was stopped at the Sydney Harbour Tunnel on July 25 and a 4.4m high truck was detected at the same location three days later, a Roads and Maritime Services spokesperson says.
“Roads and Maritime Services is committed to taking rogue operators off the road and has suspended the registration of 27 heavy vehicles for over dimension offences since October last year,” the spokesperson says.